Aironet ISA4810B User manual

Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. • 3875 Embassy Parkway
Akron, Ohio 44333-8357
www.aironet.com
User’s Guide
4800B Series
Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter
ISA4810B, ISA4820B, PCI4810B, PCI4820B
DOC-710-005312-A0

Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any means, elec-
tronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the written permission of Aironet.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Aironet makes
no representation or warranties with respect to the contents of this manual and
specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties of merchantability or
fitness for any particular purpose.
© 1999 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
AP4500TM, AP4800TM, ISA4810ATM, ISA4820ATM, LM4500TM, LM4800TM,
PC4500TM, PC4800TM, PC4800ATM, PCI4800TM, PCI4800ATM, PCI4820ATM,
PCI4810BTM, PCI4820BTM, and AironetTM are trademarks of Aironet Wireless Com-
munications, Inc.
Other trademarks used are properties of their respective owners.
Printed in USA
DOC-710-005312-A0

Table of Contents
i
About the Technical User’s Guide.................................iii
Typographical Conventions....................................iv
Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
Before You Start......................................................2
Configuring the DIP Switches
(ISA Only)................................................................3
Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter........................6
Section 2: Using the WinDGS Utilities
WinDGS Commands Menu..........................................19
Select Card ...........................................................20
Load New Firmware..............................................20
Edit Properties.......................................................20
Statistics................................................................20
Status....................................................................21
Link Test................................................................21
Site Survey............................................................24
Radio Off/On .........................................................25
Exit ........................................................................25
Options Menu...............................................................25
Preferences...........................................................25
Core Dump............................................................26
NDIS Driver Core Dump........................................26
Using Edit Properties....................................................27
System Parameters...............................................27
RF Network Parameters........................................29
Advanced (Infrastructure)......................................31
Advanced (Ad Hoc/IBSS)......................................33
Using the Site Survey Active Mode Feature.................34
Destination MAC Address.....................................34
Continuous Link Test ............................................34
Destination is Another Aironet Device...................35
Number of Packets................................................35
Packet Size ...........................................................35
Data Retries ..........................................................35
Data Rates ............................................................35
Delay Between Packets ........................................35
Packet Tx Type .....................................................36
Percent Success Threshold ..................................36
Using the Linkscope Utility ...........................................37
Commands............................................................37
Options..................................................................38
Using the WEPKey Utility.............................................40

Table of Contents
ii
WEP Overview......................................................40
Using WEPKey......................................................40
Section 3: Error Messages and Troubleshooting
Error Messages and Troubleshooting ..........................47
Indicator LEDs.......................................................47
If Your Radio Fails to Establish Contact................49
Appendix A: Aironet LAN Adapter Overview
Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview......................51
Safety Information.................................................52
Radio Characteristics............................................53
Direct Sequence Radio Technology......................53
Data Transparency and Protocols.........................53
Protocols Supported..............................................54
Radio Ranges .......................................................54
Radio Antenna ......................................................55
Security Features..................................................55
Terminology ..........................................................56
System Configurations..........................................58
Coverage Options .................................................62
Appendix B: PCI/ISA Card Specifications
PCI/ISA Card Specifications.........................................65
LAN Drivers Supported .........................................65
Radio Specifications..............................................66
Power Requirements.............................................67
Physical Specifications..........................................67
Appendix C: Channels
Channels ......................................................................69
Appendix D: Declarations of Conformity
Declarations of Conformity...........................................71
Appendix E: Technical Support
Technical Support ........................................................77

About the Technical User’s Guide
v
About the Technical User’s
Guide
This guide covers the installation, configuration, control,
and maintenance of your Aironet 4800B Series PCI/ISA
Card Wireless LAN Adapter. The Guide is arranged as fol-
lows:
Section 1 – Installation – describes installation of the PCI/
ISA Card.
Section 2 – Drivers for Special Installations – describes
installation and configuration of the various network drivers.
Section 3 – Utilities – provides detailed procedures for
using the utilities to load new firmware versions, as well as
how to perform link tests and site surveys.
Section 4 – Error Messages and Troubleshooting –
provides detailed descriptions of the LED messages and
error codes, as well as general procedures for correcting
common problems.
Appendix A – Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Overview –
provides a general introduction to the 4800B Series PCI/
ISA Card, direct sequence radio technology, and the vari-
ous configurations you can use when operating the 4800B
Series PCI/ISA Card in your infrastructure.
Appendix B – Specifications – provides radio and physical
specifications.
Appendix C – Channels – provides channel identifiers and
channel center frequencies for various area regulatory
agencies.
Appendix D – Declarations of Conformity – provides
conformity information about the 4800B Series Wireless
LAN Adapter.
Appendix E – Technical Support – provides contact
information for Aironet.

About the Technical User’s Guide
vi
Typographical Conventions
When reading the User’s Guide and Technical Reference
Manual, it is important to understand the symbol and
formatting conventions used in the documentation. The
following symbols are used in the guide.
Convention Type of Information
Indicates a note which contains important
information.
Indicates procedures which, if not observed,
could result in loss of data or damage to the
equipment.
Bold type An action you must perform, such as typing a
character or making a selection with your
mouse.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
1
Section 1
Installing the Wireless LAN
Adapter
This section describes the procedures for installing the
Wireless LAN Adapter.
Here’s what you’ll find in this section:
•Before You Start
•Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
•Attaching the Antenna

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
2
Before You Start
For the Wireless LAN Adapter to be used with a computing
device, the device must be equipped with a PCI or ISA
expansion slot. Check the documentation that came with
your computer for details on the differences between PCI
and ISA expansion slots.
Ask your system administrator for the following information,
which you may need to provide during driver installation:
•Your Wireless Client Name
•Your Wireless SSID
•For Windows 98 networking, your computer name and
workgroup name
•For your network account, your user name and pass-
word
•Your IP address (unless using a DHCP server)
After unpacking the Wireless LAN Adapter, make sure the
following items are present and in good condition:
•Aironet 4800B Series PCI or ISA Wireless LAN Adapter
•Standard 2 dBi dipole antenna
•Aironet 4800 Series for Windows 95 & NT CD
•Aironet 4800 Series for Windows 98 CD
If any item is damaged or missing, contact your Aironet
supplier. Save all shipping and packing material in order to
repack the unit should service be required.
NOTE: Any remote antenna and its associated wiring are
ordered and packed separately.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
3
Configuring the DIP Switches
(ISA Only)
The Aironet 4800B Series ISA Wireless LAN Adapter con-
tains DIP switches for setting the Plug and Play Mode
(PnP), Base Address, and Interrupt Levels (IRQ). The
switches have been factory set for PnP before shipment
(this is the recommended setting).
NOTE to NT Users: If you are installing your ISA
Wireless LAN Adapter in a computer running NT,
complete the driver installation before installing the ISA
card in your computer. During driver installation, windows
will appear that recommend a Base Address and an IRQ
Level for your ISA card. Make a note of these settings,
adjust the DIP switches accordingly, and install the card
in your computer to complete your setup.
Expansion cards cannot share the same Base Address or
IRQ. Check the switch settings on the ISA Wirelss LAN
Adapter to ensure they do not conflict with other expansion
cards in the computer.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
4
Base Address
The Base Address is controlled through DIP switches 4
and 5.
NOTE: When PnP is selected, the information in the
table below will read “Don’t Care”.
DIP Switch
6
On (Non-PnP) Off (PnP)
DIP Switch Base Address
5 4
On On 140
On Off 180
Off On 300
Off Off 340

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
5
IRQ Level
The IRQ level is selected through DIP switches 1-3.
The table below shows the switch position settings
required for different IRQ levels.
NOTE: When PnP is selected, the information in the
table below will read “Don’t Care.”
DIP Switch IRQ Level
321
On On On 5
On On Off 7
On Off On 9
On Off Off 10
Off On On 11
Off On Off 12
Off Off On 14
Off Off Off 15

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
6
Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
This section provides instructions for installing an Aironet
client card on a computer using Windows 95 or 98, and on a
computer using Windows NT 4.0.
Before you begin, examine the PCI or ISA Card. The
antenna connector and Status and Activity LEDs will face
out of your computer, and will be visible when you put the
cover back on. The bottom edge of the card is the connec-
tor you will insert into an empty expansion slot in your com-
puter.
CAUTION: The following procedures and physical
connections apply generally to normal and conventional
PCI or ISA expansion slots. In the cases of custom or
non-conventional equipment, be alert to possible
differences in PCI/ISA expansion slot configurations.
NOTE: If you are installing an ISA Wireless LAN Adapter,
install the Aironet driver for your operating system,
configure the DIP switches on the card, and then install
the ISA card in your computer as the last step in your
installation.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
7
Card Installation Steps
1. Turn off the computer and all its components.
2. Remove the computer cover.
3. Remove the screw from the top of the CPU back
panel above an empty expansion slot. This screw is
used to hold the metal bracket on the back panel.
CAUTION: Static electricity can be destructive. Discharge
by touching a metal part of a grounded unit before removing
the Wireless LAN Adapter from the anti-static packaging.
4. Tilt the Wireless LAN Adapter to allow the antenna
connector and LED lights to slip through the opening
in the CPU back panel.
5. Press the Wireless LAN Adapter into the empty slot
until its connector is firmly seated.
CAUTION: Do not force the Wireless LAN Adapter into the
slot. Forcing it will damage both the Wireless LAN Adapter
and the slot. If the Wireless LAN Adapter does not go in
easily, remove the card and re-insert.
NOTE: Most Pentium PCs have two types of slots: ISA
and PCI. ISA slots are black and PCI/ISA slots are
white. Refer to your PC manufacturer's documentation
for proper identification of slots.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
8
6. Reinstall the screw to the top of the CPU back
panel.
7. The Aironet 4800B Series PCI or ISA Wireless LAN
Adapter comes with one 2 dBi dipole antenna.
With the unit powered off, attach the antenna to the
antenna connector on the Wireless LAN Adapter.
NOTE: Do not over-tighten the antenna connector;
finger-tight is sufficient. Position the antenna vertically for
best omni-directional signal reception.
NOTE: Due to FCC and DOC Regulations, the antenna
connector on the Aironet 4800B Series PCI or ISA
Wireless LAN Adapter is of reverse polarity to the
standard TNC connectors.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
9

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
10
Driver Installation Steps
Installing the Driver for Windows 98
If the operating system on your computer is Windows 98,
follow these steps (if 95, see page12; if NT, see page15):
1. Windows 98 automatically detects the Aironet
4800B Series PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter,
briefly opens a New Hardware Found window, and
starts collecting information for a driver information
database.
2. When Windows 98 is ready to configure the new
hardware, it opens the Add New Hardware Wizard
dialog box. The dialog box states that Windows will
search for new drivers for PCI/ISA Network Con-
troller.
3. Click "Next." A dialog box appears asking what you
want Windows to do.
4. Select "Search for the best driver for your device
(Recommended)" and click "Next."
5. Select "CD-ROM drive," unselect all the other
options, insert the Aironet 4800B Series for Win-
dows 98 CD, and click "Next."
NOTE: If your computer doesn’t have a CD-ROM drive,
go to the Aironet website (www.aironet.com) and
download the drivers for your computer’s operating
system. Copy the drivers to a 3.5” floppy disk, and use
the floppy disk in place of the CD.
After the hardware wizard finds the installation files
on the CD, it displays the search results: "Windows
driver file search for the device: PC4800 DS Wire-
less PCI (or ISA) LAN Adapter."
6. Click "Next" to copy the required files.
During the installation, you may be prompted with
dialog boxes asking you to enter a path to the
required Aironet or Windows 98 files.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
11
If the Windows 98 files are installed on your com-
puter, the Windows 98 files will usually be located
in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. Click "OK"
to copy the required files.
If Windows 98 prompts for the Windows CD, insert
the Windows 98 CD into your CD-ROM drive. If
your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path in the dia-
log box should be D:\WIN98. Click "OK" to copy the
required files.
NOTE: If the DIP switches on your ISA card are set for
non-PnP, an Adapter Properties window appears at this
point in the installation. Use the Adapter Properties
window to assign a unique Client Name for the ISA card
and the SSID of the Access Point with which the card will
communicate.
7. The Add New Hardware Wizard window appears
stating that Windows has finished installing the soft-
ware that your new hardware device requires.
8. Click "Finish."
9. The Systems Settings Change window states: "To
finish setting up your new hardware, you must
restart your computer. Do you want to restart your
computer now?" Remove the CD and click "Yes" to
reboot the computer.
10. When the computer restarts, double-click the My
Computer icon on your desktop.
11. In the My Computer window, double-click the Con-
trol Panel icon.
12. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Net-
work icon.
13. Select the PC4800 DS Wireless PCI (or ISA) LAN
Adapter. Click the Properties button.
14. On the PC4800 DS Wireless PCI (or ISA) LAN
Adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
12
15. In the Advanced window, select Client Name. Type
your computer's unique client name in the Value
dialog box.
16. Select SSID. Type your Access Point's SSID in the
Value dialog box. Click OK.
17. In the Network window, click OK.
18. The Systems Settings Change window states: "To
finish setting up your new hardware, you must
restart your computer. Do you want to restart your
computer now?" Click "Yes" to reboot the com-
puter.
The driver installation is complete.
Contact your IS department if you have a problem
connecting to the network. Proxy server, network
protocols, and further authentication information
might be needed to connect to the network.
Installing the Driver for Windows 95
If the operating system on your computer is Windows 95,
follow these steps (if 98, see page10; if NT, see page15):
1. Windows 95 automatically detects the Aironet
4800B Series PCI/ISA Wireless LAN Adapter,
briefly opens a New Hardware Found window, and
starts collecting information for a driver information
database.
2. When Windows 95 is ready to configure the new
hardware, it opens the Update Device Driver Wiz-
ard dialog box. The dialog box states that Windows
will complete the installation of the PCI/ISA Net-
work Controller.
3. Insert the Aironet 4800 Series for Windows 95 and
Windows NT CD and click Next.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
13
NOTE: If your computer doesn’t have a CD-ROM drive,
go to the Aironet website (www.aironet.com) and
download the drivers for your computer’s operating
system. Copy the drivers to a 3.5” floppy disk, and use
the floppy disk in place of the CD.
4. The Update Device Driver Wizard displays the fol-
lowing message: "Windows was unable to locate a
driver for this device." Click the Other Locations
button.
5. The Select Other Location window appears. Click
the Browse button.
6. Select your CD-ROM drive and click OK. At the
Select Other Location window, click OK.
7. The Update Device Driver Wizard window tells you
that it found the driver. Click Finish.
8. When prompted with "Please insert the disk labeled
'Windows 95 CD-ROM', and then click OK", just
click OK and do one of the following:
•If the Windows 95 files are installed on your com-
puter, the Windows 95 files will usually be located
in the folder C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. Type
C:\Windows\Options\Cabs in the "Copy files
from:" dialog box. Click "OK" to copy the required
files.
•If Windows 95 prompts for the Windows CD,
insert the Windows 95 CD into your CD-ROM
drive. If your CD-ROM drive is drive D, the path in
the dialog box should be D:\WIN95. Click "OK" to
copy the required files.
9. The Systems Settings Change window states: "To
finish setting up your new hardware, you must
restart your computer. Do you want to restart your
computer now?" Remove the CD and click "Yes" to
reboot the computer.
10. When the computer restarts, double-click the My
Computer icon on your desktop.

Section 1: Installing the Wireless LAN Adapter
14
11. In the My Computer window, double-click the Con-
trol Panel icon.
12. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Net-
work icon.
13. Select the PC4800 DS Wireless PCI (or ISA) LAN
Adapter. Click the Properties button.
14. On the PC4800 DS Wireless PCI (or ISA) LAN
Adapter Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
15. In the Advanced window, select Client Name. Type
your computer's unique client name in the Value
dialog box.
16. Select SSID. Type your Access Point's SSID in the
Value dialog box. Click OK.
17. In the Network window, click OK.
18. The Systems Settings Change window states: "To
finish setting up your new hardware, you must
restart your computer. Do you want to restart your
computer now?" Click "Yes" to reboot the com-
puter.
The driver installation is complete.
Contact your IS department if you have a problem
connecting to the network. Proxy server, network
protocols, and further authentication information
might be needed to connect to the network.